Best goalkeepers in the world right now

No position in football carries as much weight and attention as the custodian. A striker may miss three or four good chances, but if they score the winning goal, they will take the headlines and be acclaimed as a hero by their teammates. A midfielder can miss a few passes while still controlling the tempo of the game. But what about the custodian? One mistake might define the entire match. This is why the world’s best goalkeepers are more than just football players; they can change the game.

In our ranking of the Top 10 Best Goalkeepers in the World for 2026, we have taken numerous essential aspects into consideration to strike a balance between past successes and present performance:

– Form and consistency: We examined their performances over the previous 12 to 18 months, both at the club and international levels.

– Big-game impact: We consider how they handle pressure during critical occasions such as Champions League knockouts, international competitions, and league finals.

Statistical details: We took into account save percentages, clean sheets, goals prevented, and ball distribution accuracy.

– Trophies and accolades: These range from domestic leagues and international contests to individual awards such as the Yashin Trophy or Golden Glove.

Leadership and influence: The ability to motivate teammates and organise defences is frequently underrated, yet it is critical for good goalkeepers.

Over the years, the role of custodian has evolved from a solely defensive position to one of the most demanding all-around positions in sports. Legends like as Lev Yashin, Gianluigi Buffon, Iker Casillas, and Manuel Neuer (active) have all left their imprint on the game by demonstrating unique skill sets that have propelled them to world-class status.

Fast forward to 2026, and the position has advanced even more. Today’s goalkeepers must not only save shots, but also distribute, anticipate, and manage their defensive line. They are no longer just the last line of defence, but also playmakers.

1. Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City).

Following a fantastic season with Paris Saint-Germain,

He signed for Manchester City on deadline day in the summer of 2025 for £26 million, earning him the 13th most expensive custodian in history. Since joining Manchester City, he has appeared in five matches for both his club and the national team, keeping three clean sheets and conceding one goal at club level, with an 80% save rate in the Premier League and no mistakes that resulted in goals.

Gianluigi Donnarumma remains the world’s best custodian in 2026, having won the Yashin Trophy in 2025.

2. Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)

Thibaut Courtois entered Real Madrid history as the club’s second most decorated custodian, trailing only Spanish great Iker Casillas, who played 725 official appearances for the club from 1999 to 2015.

Not only did the Belgian win several titles with Real Madrid, but he also received numerous individual accolades, including the Yashin Trophy 2022, Best FIFA Goalkeeper 2018, and FIFPRO World 11 in 2023 and 2024.

He is still going strong and improving in the 2025/26 season, despite being 33 years old. When Gianluigi Donnarumma played his second game for Manchester City against Napoli and maintained a clean sheet under pressure, Bernardo Silva had to compare the experience to having Thibaut Courtois on the pitch, saying, “With Gianluigi Donnarumma, you have that Thibaut Courtois feeling.”

Thibaut Courtois has three clean sheets in six La Liga games this season, with a 76.9% save percentage, 73% pass accuracy, 0.26 goals prevented, and zero errors resulting in goals. He’s literally improving as he gets older. In 2026, he is ranked as the world’s second best custodian.

3. David Raya ( Arsenal FC)

David Raya established his reputation in English football with Brentford, when he played a key role in the club’s promotion from the Championship to the Premier League in 2021/22. Trusted as their number one, he led the club return to the top flight after a long absence.

Raya will join Arsenal in 2023/24 after spending four seasons at Brentford. Since joining at the Emirates, he has won back-to-back Premier League Golden Gloves, keeping the most clean sheets in two consecutive seasons.

This season, the Spaniard has maintained his record, keeping three clean sheets in his first five league games despite playing top-tier opponents such as Manchester City, United, and Liverpool. He has an 86.7% save rate and a 0% error rate leading to goals, demonstrating once again why he belongs among the world’s finest goalkeepers in 2026.

4. Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)

Emiliano Martínez moved from Arsenal to Aston Villa in 2020 with the goal of increasing his playing time. He never received a decent run at Arsenal, but at Villa, he was ultimately promoted to first-choice keeper and hasn’t looked back.

Martínez is considered a national hero in Argentina. From his penalty saves at the Copa América to his clutch saves at the World Cup, he was instrumental in both victories. These performances earned him back-to-back Yashin Awards in 2023 and 2024, making him the first custodian in history to do so. He even made the shortlist again in 2025, but Donnarumma won that year.

Last summer, huge teams came calling: Manchester United was linked, while Saudi clubs tried to entice him with money. In the end, he remained faithful to Aston Villa, which astonished many people.

Martínez has performed well for Villa, despite not being the best available player. In his first three matches, he had one clean sheet and a 75% save rate. Even without club trophies, he continues to demonstrate why he is regarded as one of the world’s best goalkeepers.

5. Alisson Becker (Liverpool)

Alisson Becker has established himself as one of the most dependable and versatile goalkeepers of his generation since joining Liverpool from Roma in 2018. His signing coincided with Liverpool’s ascent to prominence under Jürgen Klopp, who eventually won the Champions League in 2019 and ended their lengthy wait for the Premier League title in 2020. More than merely making reflex saves, Alisson has redefined what it means to be a modern custodian with his cool distribution, mastery of his box and poise in one-on-one scenarios.

Alisson has been comfortable on the international stage, battling off heavy competition to remain the national team’s first choice. His knowledge and leadership, combined with consistency, have offered consistent value at both the club and national levels.

Alisson has showed no symptoms of ageing as he approaches his thirties, and he remains the defensive anchor and one of the few goalkeepers capable of combining world-class shot stopping with the technical skill demanded in modern sport.

His teammate Alexis MacAllister has this to say about him via ESPN:

“I tell him, ‘You know, when I was in Brighton, I didn’t understand what all the fuss was about. I didn’t really rate you. Now, dammit! I have to confess, you are the finest. Okay, you, Dibu Martinez, and Thibaut.

Alisson has two clean sheets in five Premier League appearances in 2025/26, with 44.4% saves from shots faced and 80.3% pass distribution.

6. Lucas Chevalier (Paris Saint Germain)